Precious coral

Red coral lives on the rocky sea floor.

It looks like a small bush without leaves. It has a hard, bright red skeleton.

Tiny white parts called polyps grow on it. These parts can pull back inside. People use the hard red parts for jewelry. They make beads and pretty necklaces. It can be a pale pink color. It can also be a deep red. This coral is very special to many people.

Precious coral is a type of sea animal.

It is often called red coral. These corals have hard skeletons. The skeletons are bright pink or red. People use them to make jewelry. This coral grows on rocky sea floors. It likes dark places like deep caves. One kind lives in the Mediterranean Sea. It can grow 300 meters deep. Other kinds live near Japan and Taiwan. These live in very deep water.

The coral looks like a small bush. It can grow one meter tall. It has tiny white parts called polyps. These polyps can pull back inside the coral. The red color comes from things called pigments.

People have used coral for a long time. Ancient Egyptians wore it in burials. In Italy, people used it as a charm. Some thought it could protect children. Today, fishing and climate change can hurt coral. We must protect the places where it grows.

Precious coral is a special kind of sea animal.

It is also known as red coral. This animal is famous for its hard skeleton. The skeleton has very bright colors. It can be pink or orange. It can also be deep red. People use these skeletons to make beautiful jewelry. This coral is important because its color stays bright. It is very durable and strong.

These corals grow on the rocky bottom of the sea.

They like dark places. They often live in deep water or dark caves. The coral looks like a small bush without leaves. It can grow up to one meter tall. The skeleton is made of hard calcium carbonate. This is a material like the shells you find on a beach. The red color comes from pigments called carotenoids. Tiny white parts called polyps live on the branches. These polyps can pull themselves inside the skeleton.

People have used coral for a very long time. Ancient Egyptians used it in burials. During the Victorian age, it was very popular. In the past, people thought coral had magic powers. Romans hung it around children to keep them safe. In Italy, some people wore it to protect against the evil eye. In West Africa, kings and chieftains wear it to show high rank.

There are many different kinds of precious coral. One kind is called Corallium rubrum. It lives in the Mediterranean Sea. It can grow between 10 and 300 meters deep. In Alghero, Sardinia, it grows in underwater caves. Other species live in the western Pacific. These live near Japan and Taiwan. Those corals live much deeper. They can be 350 to 1500 meters below the sea. They like areas with strong water currents.

Coral is a very interesting part of our world. It connects to many stories and cultures. Greek myths say coral came from the blood of a monster. In Hindu astrology, red coral is linked to the planet Mars. You can even find coral on the coat of arms for Alghero. Today, we must be careful with these corals. Fishing and climate change can hurt them. We use protected areas to help them grow again.

Precious coral, often called red coral, belongs to the genus *Corallium*. It is a marine animal known for its durable, intensely colored skeleton. This skeleton features shades of red or pink-orange. Because the color is permanent and the material is strong, humans use it for jewelry.

It is a significant organic gemstone in many cultures around the world.

The anatomy of these corals is quite unique. They belong to a group called Octocorallia. This means they have a specific body structure. They grow in shapes resembling small, leafless bushes. These bushes can reach up to one meter in height. The skeleton is made of intermeshed spicules of hard calcium carbonate. This hardness is rated at 3.5 on the Mohs scale. The striking red color comes from pigments called carotenoids. In living corals, a soft red integument covers the branches. Numerous white polyps protrude from this covering. These polyps exhibit octameric radial symmetry, meaning they have an eight-part symmetry. They are retractable, so they can pull inside the skeleton.

Different species of *Corallium* live in very different environments. One major species is *Corallium rubrum*. It is also known as *Gorgonia nobilis*. This species is found mainly in the Mediterranean Sea. It grows on rocky sea bottoms with low sedimentation. These corals prefer dark environments, such as deep water or crevices. In the underwater caves of Alghero, Sardinia, they grow at depths of 4 to 35 meters. In other parts of the Mediterranean, they live between 10 and 300 meters deep. Other *Corallium* species live in the western Pacific near Japan and Taiwan. These Pacific species live much deeper, from 350 to 1500 meters. They prefer areas with strong currents.

Humans have harvested precious coral since antiquity. Archaeological finds show coral in ancient Egyptian and prehistoric European burials. During the Victorian age, coral jewelry was especially popular. Because the material is somewhat soft and opaque, it is often cut into shapes called cabochons. It can also be shaped into beads. The naturally matte skeleton can be polished to a glassy shine.

The history of the coral trade is filled with rivalry and regulation. In the first millennium, a large trade existed between the Mediterranean and India. In India, coral was prized for its perceived sacred properties. The Roman writer Pliny the Elder noted that the Gauls used coral to decorate weapons. Later, the high demand from the East made coral rare in its home regions. In the Middle Ages, European communities competed for rights to African coral fisheries. The town of Torre del Greco in Italy became a major center for coral. In 1790, the Royal Society of Coral was established there. By 1805, the first coral manufacturing factory was founded in the city. This began a golden age for coral working near Mount Vesuvius.

Coral holds deep meaning in many global cultures. In Greek mythology, coral is linked to the story of Perseus and Medusa. It is also part of the civic coat of arms in Alghero, Italy. In Hindu astrology, red coral is associated with the planet Mars. It is often worn on the ring finger to please the planet. Among the Yoruba and Bini peoples of West Africa, coral jewelry signifies high social rank. Kings and chieftains wear necklaces and anklets to show their status. In Dutch fishing communities, red coral necklaces were traditional for women. In Ladakh, coral and turquoise are used during festivals.

Today, protecting precious coral is a major concern. Intensive fishing in shallow waters has damaged colonies along the Mediterranean. Colonies at depths of less than 50 meters are now much smaller. Climate change also threatens their survival. However, marine protected areas are helping. Three old protected areas off Corsica include Banyuls, Carry-le-Rouet, and Scandola. These areas host substantial populations of *C. rubrum*. Since these protections began, the colonies have grown in both size and number.